I am a 54 year old woman and have just discovered Tool. Yes, late to the game raising kids. 😂 The musician in me loves their sound, changing rhythms, major and minor chords. I call it rhythmic chaos. It really freaks people out when they realize that I know these songs and love them. What wonderful talent all in one band!
They're secretly a an Indian/Balkan group, disguised as an alt-metal group. Danny inspired me to start learning tabla drums, and Tool makes much more sense now. It just added a new level of appreciation.
I wish I could discover Tool for the first time again. They blew my mind.. then I bought Aenima and listened to tracks that weren't popular, and had my mind blown again
at the 22 minute mark you mentioned how Maynard could sing lullabies or Irish ballads etc; I know that Tori Amos is very close friends with him, and she suffers from insomnia. She at one point shared during one of her concerts that she will call him when she is having a hard time sleeping and he will sing her lullabies to go to sleep. which may be one of the sweetest things I have ever heard about two famous musicians, and I am 100% here for it.
By 34:20 I was hoping, Elizabeth, I was praying, I was anxiously awaiting and wishing..you wouldn't stop the playback in the middle of Danny's peak moment in this song...which you actually let get started at 35:13...But you did..you did stop it..🙆🏻♂️ ..yes, I understand your concentration was placed on counting at that time, but....Well... 🤔 I forgive you anyways 😁
I love the idea that, if it's not already? Elegance and Violence should be the name of a song. Or an album. Or a metal band. Or all of the above. Elegance and Violence. Too cool.
This song has been with my since my teen years in the 90s, when I lost both of my parents at the age of 14. The idea of growth and progress through pain, changing ourselves and growing, it spoke to me so deeply. I used to fall asleep listening the Aenima album, and I wrote out the lyrics to this track specifically by hand, and I've carried them with me in wallet ever since, over 20 years with the same piece of paper... written on the back of a print out of my mother's obituary. This song is in my heart and soul forever.
This hits completely different then any other comment.. i think in time, Tool touched all of us yet in other ways.. Great that you drew strength out of it 🙏🏼❤️
Bro ! Firstly, amazing testimony about overcoming adversity. When i read your comment, i tried to put myself in your position, loosing both of your parents at such a young age. Some people go through unbelievably pain filled moments in their life. And one can choose to let it consume them, destroy them. Or one can make a conscious decision , sometimes daily, sometimes minute by minute, to overcome. Bravo sir, bravo!
Tool makes me anticipate the journey of a song like no other. Their audience is so diverse and everyone feels like the music is speaking directly to them, really unbelievable
Maynard has spoke many times during interviews about how he and the other band members put together songs. He strongly refers to his vocals as another instrument and in doing so he has to implement his vocals perfectly into the song. He has spoken about how his vocals are often the last part of the song and he intertwines them in and around the other sounds. This is why Maynard's vocal placement is so "perfect" in almost, if not all of their songs.
Literally. Danny, Adam and Justin literally put the music together and then, when finished, give it to Maynard who wraps lyrics around the music. It's incredible that a band can exist for so long and simply get better with every album.
The journey from Undertow to Ænima/Salival to Lateruls to 10,000 Days to Fear Inoculum has been incredible. It's rare to see such clear musical development along with real emotional growth with each record. From inward looking and angry to embracing life and loss and growth, it's really stellar.
Since 1993. I´m 43 now. Funny story. I started play guitar 1993 and can play every tool song ever made. And i play at least 1 song every day myself :D crank my Hifi and my Amp and play along to it. Feels like i´m a part of the band :D
I'm listening to Tool for the first time; I'm 72 years old. The beginning and rhythm of this song reminds me very much of early Pink Floyd's "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun". To me, it's like they used it as a jumping off point and took it to previously unimagined heights.
Funny you say that. I’ve always thought Tool would do an amazing cover of Set the Controls for Heart of the Sun. That song and Pink Floyd in general must have had a huge influence on Tool.
It's a shame I don't know their names, because I often find some albums sound old and flat. Meanwhile other albums feel spacious and absolutely incredible. It can be hard to point at something an engineer contributes, but it can make all the difference in the world. An often thankless job, for sure.
absolutely, Tool albums from the 90s sound better than probably 90% of newer recordings. IIRC Sylvia Massey was the producer and engineer for this album.
Maynard isn't just a singer; he's an actor. He's in character when he's performing. That's why he can hit those emotions. They are a part of the performance as much as the singing and musical performance is.
Yes, he is very much a performance artist as he is a vocal artist. Just look at his famous live performance of Sober...he planned everything to match the message of the song. Or the way he plays around with expression in Puscifer, like wearing fake breasts to a concert where cross dressing in public was banned for obscenity in that state.
I hope Maynard watches and is subscribed to her channel. He might even learn more about himself watching this super enthusiastic, respectful, observation genius analys his music and so many other music creators and creations. My sincere respect to you in so many ways. The teachers I remember are the ones who made the most out of the least. That is the definition of growth. One molecule at a time. Thank you, Thank you Maynard, all in Tool, everyone who finished reading this paragraph. I needed this. Love everything and help it love itself.
WOW, I've been a Tool fan ever since the first album and always loved the way he sings the word "Shadow-a" and never heard of a shadow vowel before. Thanks for educating me on that, you're awesome!
Thank you again for analyzing one of my favorite songs from Tool. I'm a lifelong fan. I first saw them on this tour in 1996 and I've seen every tour since. I'll be seeing them again in Jan. When you go to a Tool concert, you're not just going to a concert, but are going to an experience of sight and sound. And your giddy joy is totally infectious. You make me happy by seeing the true joy you get from Tool and many other bands I've loved forever.
Danny's drum fill in this song is maybe the best drum fill ever. It's monsterous and syncopated and hits me every time. The lyrics I believe refer to jungian shadow work which is some of the most powerful therapy for mental health. Absolutely changed my life.
I would agree with you, but there are like 8 other songs with unbelievable drum fills that anytime I hear them I think "No, this is my favorite Danny Carey drum fill"
Danny's body of work is so nuts that I wouldn't be able to pick a favorite. This is up there, but there's so much stuff that I can't even remember all of it. Danny's work on... basically the ENTIRE new album is like... what the fuck man.
I appreciate your appreciation of Maynard. ;) BTW, from the intarwebs: "The song is mostly in 4/4 time with some sections of 7/8 in between. In the intro, Danny Carey plays four measures of 7/8 on his ride cymbal over the rest of the band playing in 4/4, and they all meet up on the downbeat of the 5th measure in 4/4. During the bridge there are three measures of 7/8 followed by one measure of 4/4. During a particular quad fill, the drums are in 3/8, the guitar plays one measure of 9/8 followed by one in 5/8 all while the bass keeps time in 7/8. Most of the song is written in D Phrygian dominant scale, also known as the fifth mode of the G harmonic minor scale."
This is such an awesome breakdown of the song. I was about to say that this sounds like Phrygian mode and you confirmed it for me. This is also in line with what Elizabeth said felt like an "exotic feel" to this song around 8:18 and 33:41.
Thanks for passing that on. I gave up trying to count the time signature in about 1999. It makes so much sense that no one is playing in the same time signature.
I was just about to comment that is sounds more like 7/8 than 7/4 to me, very similar to Balkan (and specifically Bulgarian) folklore music, and you confirmed it for me. Tool's ability to harmonise the various time signatures always amazes me. Cheers!
Some more A Perfect Circle would be awesome too👍! Can’t recall if you’ve already reacted to “Orestes” and/or “3 Libras” already. Both tracks from their first album, Mer de Noms (my favorite album of theirs ❤️!!)
You beat me to it with this comment lol. I can't find where she did anything from A Perfect Circle. I also recommended 3 Libras, I like Judith better but may be too controversial for this channel.
Totally came to the comments of add my voice to the request for anything Perfect Circle. I actually loved them before I got into Tool and I'm still shocked she hasn't done a song of theirs yet!
There is a song called Rose on the first APC album that I was reminded of when you were talking about the way in which Maynard chooses to sing specific words and his phrasing. The line in Rose that goes “When push comes to pull comes to shove comes to step around..” struck me back 20+ years ago when I first heard it because the way he sang push, pull, and shove literally FELT like the definition of the words. He sang the word push and it sounded like how a push feels, pull sounded like something being pulled, shove felt like a shove. I feel those words still every time I hear the song. It’s not a single or popularly talked about song from APC but it’s worth listening to on your own time and looking for that line toward the end of it. Such a treat. Such a great example of his pronunciation and phrasing. I dont know if it was intentional or if that is just how the words naturally passed through him but it’s beautiful.
I freakin love Rose, not too many people react to it on YT, & not too many people talk about it, but Rose & Passive are two of my absolute favorite APC tunes (among many others)
@@davidhart6291 Rose is arguably my favorite song off that album. The whole album is perfect, it blew me away when it came out. I want to say I was a freshman in highschool? I’m sure I’ve listened to it thousands of times at this point in my life 🖤
Yes! This is why you are one of my favorite reactors/analysts on YT. Right at the beginning you get what is happening and go completely opposite of most everyone else. Always people want Maynard’s voice to be way louder, but the fact is it’s supposed to be exactly where it is! Nothing in Tools music is left to chance; every detail has a meaning! And YOU picked right up on that. Excellent!
Elizabeth, you are such a musical nerd, I love it. Your reactions are always so much more in-depth and technical but at the same time so much fun. I learn something new from you on songs I’ve been listening to for years and in some cases decades.
There is a reason this band is studied so much in music schools and foundations like Okeefe Music Foundation (OMF). If you can learn Tool and actually succeed in playing their music, you can learn to play anything, OMF has produced cover videos of a number of Tool songs, mostly with different kids each time, and are a prime example of using Tool music as a tool to grow new musicians.
That's just not true. I'm a huge die hard Tool fan and I can play them fairly well, but there's so many technical blues and metal guitarists that I'll never be able to match in their solo shredding. What Tool offers is a deeper appreciation to music theory and abnormal rhythms as opposed to just ripping the pentatonic scale in a high tempo 4/4. Even with their excess in weird shit, Tool's true brilliance comes in its use of minimalism. Few technical guitar solos can approach the emotionality of Adam Jones tremolo picking a single note with a wah pedal engaged.
@@bwaredapenguin yeah I was kinda thinking the same. I saw a video recently where Joe Satriani was attempting to play some of Edward Van Halen's rhythm guitar parts, and it just sounded kinda weird. Not bad, just weird and a blindfolded listener that knew a few VH songs (even if they weren't the same ones!) well would know immediately that it wasn't him. Nothing to do with guitar tone or technical chops. I think Satch's groove/swing was just wildly different. I guess it highlights the importance of *active listening* when learning to play other people's material
46 & 2 is one of my all time favorite songs. TOOL has been integral to the theme music of my entire adult life. There is not even one critical juncture in my adult life (since 1990) where TOOL wasn't present ... All of my children experienced TOOL in Utero, my wife and I slow danced to OPIATE for our Halloween Wedding solo dance, OCT 31 1992 (to both of our parent's horror) ... 3 kids raised on and still listening avidly to MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN ... So yeah ... TOOL is a pretty important influence in our household ...
I have never heard of shadow vowels before. And despite listening to this song for 20 years or more, I have never noticed it (shadow-a). Thank you so much for pointing this and so many other nuances out in your amazing Tool analyses.
I love Tool, but I can't deny there have been times when "46 and 2" comes on my Tool station and a smile comes to my face. Then I quickly realize, oh yeah, "just Tool".
Thank you for the wonderful analysis, as always! In regards to the "glitch" sound at the beginning of the song, that's actually part of the very end of the preceding track Useful Idiot! It's one of their short tracks that act as sort of an interlude. Tool sometimes have transitions from one song to another that make sense only when listened to in full album form (Parabol into Parabola is another example of this)
Your enthusiasm is infectious and it is such a joy to hear someone dissect the things I love in my favorite songs that I would have never have thought or had the words for. The idea that Maynard’s voice contains intensity is so spot on and BRILLIANT - like someone telling you a joke knowing the punch line’s going to hit but not snickering / breaking on the way there.
I've been watching you since you started this channel. When ever you do a Tool segment your at your NERDY NERDY personality and it is just so perfect. This song helped me in my early recovery from addiction along with other songs from Tool. They are actually beautiful to see in concert. Keep rocking on Elizabeth. Oh one other thing you mentioned Danny's drum work. He was a huge fan of the professor Mr Peart
That funky sound in the very start is actually the tail end of the previous track on the album that leads into this song! Love your videos so much 💕 keep being you!
I got to tell you. I have heard this song so many times and by so many different bands and every time I knew nothing of the shadow vowel! 😊🎉 Now you have totally almost reset my love for this song and that is Uber rare. I won't listen to it the same again and it'll mean so much more! Thank you Charismatic Voice!!
This video was awesome, I’ve been singing for about a decade now and have ran most of Tools discography countless times with a band and even though this wasn’t actually a lesson there were things you pointed out that helped me improve my delivery of these lyrics literally on the spot. So thank you for this!! 🙏🙏
He calls Tool his masculine side lyrically and vocally. APC his feminine side lyrically and vocally. I think he said Pucifier was more of the madness/fun side breaking out lyrically and vocally.
I love how much joy she gets from these songs... so pure and wholesome! Now, if we could get her to listen to Mastodon, something like Oblivion... three singers, great music, deep lyrics... all around good stuff!
I loved Mastodon. Until I saw them live. They were good, they played tight. But they just seemed to have zero interest in being there and I was never able to really look at the same after. (FWIW, it was a show in Phoenix in which they were just one band there among dozens, their set was late afternoon, and it was a day that hit 116 F... but they didn't introduce themselves or the songs... they just got up, played one song after the other, zero audience address, finished, and left. Between that the complicated nature of their music, they totally lost the crowd's interest got totally outshone by almost every other band there that weekend, every single one of which at least said hi and thank you to the audience.)
Easy to get excited about Tool, especially songs from this album...but I just have to say, after seeing a handful of your videos, that it's really enjoyable to see you compliment these different artists so eloquently.
Timing is always a huge piece of their music. Polyrhythms (four against 3, etc.) are a creative tool TOOL uses consistently to convey the messages of their music.
Yay, more Tool! I often wonder how those that are hearing these tracks for the first time during these reactions respond. Some of us have 30+ years listening to Tool. I am so envious of those hearing it for the first time.
One of my favorite things about being a parent has been sharing the music I love with my daughter, and having her fall in love with it as well. We've rocked out to Tool on the way to school and back so many times.
I have to say, when I started listening to Tool around 17 yo, it was a purely visceral, sonic love. I was no student of music. Now I’m 40 and my love of Tool has grown along with their sound, and seeing pro reactions like yours have taught me more about the deliberateness of Maynard’s pitch and syllable placement etc. (not to mention becoming more awed by the talent of Danny and co.) making the love and respect grow even more. So thank you for that! ❤
I am so happy you did this song in conjunction with the lyrics because it enhanches the experience so, so much and you clearly got much out of it. Such an incredible song that drives you forward, that is encouraging and empowering.
This is such a great track! For those looking to study Danny Carey more, here is an actively synced drum transcription of Forty Six & 2: th-cam.com/video/NRRgYZJRICw/w-d-xo.html The "interesting instrumental breakdown" section before the final chorus, specifically before the drums come in at 35:10 or so in your video, is ( 7/8 x 7, 9/8 ) repeating (so seven bars of 7/8 followed by one bar of 9/8, with this pattern repeating). If you follow the guitar's 8th note rhythm, counting is easy using the following 8th note groupings ( 1 2, 1 2, 1 2 3 ) x 7, ( 1 2, 1 2, 1 2 3, 1 2 ). At least, that's how I'd count it as a drummer. ;-) Check out the aforementioned actively synced drum transcriptions for all the time signatures used in the song! Anyway, I very much enjoyed this song analysis; your energy was contagious. Thanks for the excellent videos!
Well, you certainly did add something to the analysis - I don’t think I’ll ever hear this song again without being amused by that tidbit about the shadow vowel every time he sings ‘shadow’.
You’re totally fine stepping into Anything - honestly, I find your genuine delight in exploring new music just…idk, nothing but a joy to watch. This being the main element I see you carry into every new song makes you welcome everywhere and with everything you do. 👍🏼❤️
This review of this song is rich and fresh and authentic! Again, I've listened to this song 1000 times and you've still highlighted new insights and understanding. It's a testament to the high level of song writing and to your own musical wisdom 😊 ps: the shadow vowel is hilarious, and no doubt intentional!
Now you know The Tool Army is not always friendly. Particularly to people who don't get it. The intimidation is warranted because I've seen creators swear off reacting to Tool BECAUSE the Army is so passionate.
@@kingrix I know of a couple cases where the tool army has had a very negative response to people not getting it. I think they're a minority, but a shame none the less. For me, I completely understand why Tool can be very hard for first time listeners. It's pretty unpredictable, and that can be frustrating. You almost have to take a leap of faith with each track, and that's not something people should take for granted. However, Tool does seem to have a very positive fan-base in general. Like, the more the merrier.
@@zuzusuperfly8363 you'll get no argument from me there. I never said the Tool Army was unwelcoming or toxic, just that *some* fans can take a person not appreciating Tool personally and become needlessly hostile or dismissive. That's true of any passionate fandom, and the Tool Army is nothing if not passionate.
As far as Tool goes, I really think you should be listening to more of their underrepresented music, like Third Eye. Third Eye will absolutely blow you away.
I love how Maynard uses the shadow vowel and other bits of intensity to smooth over breath changes. His diaphragm control and how well he uses different throat muscles and voicing sections to keep from overexerting his larynx are incredible! I finally got to see them in concert recently and wow what an AMAZING experience! Of course Danny Carey stole the show 😄
It's honestly such a difficult thing to choose a favourite Tool song. I love this song because of the way it makes me feel, but much more, it's the drive, lyrics and amazingly deep yet thought challenging meaning. Truly a very special song, piece of art. Great analysis and breakdown. You have a wonderful capacity to hear, feel, see and share. Including the finer points of music and vocals. Muvh respect to you and to Tool ❤
Also, since you were talking about the "shedding of skin", Pantera's "Shedding Skin" would be an AMAZING song for you to "do your thing" on. The music is absolutely phenomenal and Phil's vocals of some bad ass lyrics that go to the dark, sinister, superbly written music would show you once again why Pantera (like Tool) has such a fierce and loyal fan base. Hint: it has to do with conjoined twins but with a darker, more personal perspective. I think it will give you a newfound appreciation for Pantera.
It enters your ears and hits every single emotion possible. Adam's guitar work always tends to get overlooked by the other 3 member's pure brilliance, but it really shines here. What a brilliant journey Tool continues to lead us all on.
I've been listening to this song for almost 30 years, played it on guitar and bass, and still heard new stuff in this listen. I think this is my favorite of your vids I've seen (so far)! Amazingly done! Time signatures at some points are 7-7-7-9. In that part where the loudest voice switches between guitar and bass for a bit then goes into the drum solo (33:22 in your vid), I think the guitar and bass are playing in different time signatures from each other, but I've never quite figured it out. Also, the sound of the word "through" (at 33:20 in your video) is my favorite moment of tone from Maynard. I don't know what he's doing there, but that note is so perfect!
Truly wonderful take on this piece Elizabeth. Now, when it comes to change and regression. I believe you can not consciously force the change you want in life. Now, you may create change you want in life. But is it truly the change you need? More so the natural change and evolution we often speak of comes from integrating the shadow in us and that deeper change to a new state of being comes natural or in very uncomfortable ways. To wrap it all together, I believe Tool have helped many in popping ego balloons throughout the years. And I am glad you gave this one so much time.
This album is amazing, beginning to end. Most albums -- even by bands I love -- have a song or two that I skip over. Not Aenema. Every song is a progressive masterpiece, which brings the listener along on a wild ride -- both lyrically & musically. I think the thing that separates Aenema from later albums is the seething fury dripping from many of the songs. An emotional rollercoaster for sure.
Please do Lost Keys/Rosetta Stoned from the 10,000 Days album! They're two separate songs, but Lost Keys is the intro to Rosetta Stoned. It's an epic experience, I promise
As I'm sure many have said before me, PLEASE react and analyze the O'Keefe Music Foundation version of the kids doing this song. They have a 14 yr old girl (Kala Rose) doing the vocals who is alone in the booth while recording and its AWESOME. The kids are all 18 and younger (most all of them are 16 and younger), but they KILL it!! Then, once you are enamored with Kala, jump forward 4 years and listen to her sing "Crazy Horse" by Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, to hear her vocal progression after 4 yrs of going to O'Keefe MF. It is utterly amazing and you are the perfect person to give us your reaction/analysis. Which is what we come here for.. 😁 I promise you will not be disappointed and will be amazed! 🙏 PRETTY PLEASE W/SUGAR ON TOP!?!?!
Link to kids 46 & 2 video - th-cam.com/video/mYKLvYGqaC0/w-d-xo.html Kala also does a great Sober - th-cam.com/video/ctt87B6hU1M/w-d-xo.html Kala's last song with OMF (she's 18+ now) Crazy Horse - th-cam.com/video/oYEXeW94z5A/w-d-xo.html
I believe the original lyrics are about self-discovery in the Jungian psychological theory (which held there are 46 emotions which are combined with the base two - happiness and sadness - to form the spectrum of human emotional experience) but can also refer to human evolution (we have 46 chromosomes - 22 paired plus the XX/XY complement - but as we progress and evolve, what if we were to gain an extra? But also, all extant species of Hominoidea - the progeny of other branches of the evolutionary tree from common ancestors - happen to all have 23 pairs +XX/XY or as one might say, 46+2 and as we evolve through the domesticating forces of the society we've built, it seems in a lot of ways to be reverting us to something more primitive). It's a fascinating song to explore and analyze. That's one of Tool's greatest strengths... they are apart from excellent musicians, also world class poets/lyricists. But those themes of exploration, change, metamorphosis, anxiety over it all... that all takes on a whole new dimension when sung by a little girl on the verge of adolescence. And I don't mean that in any creepy way... we all go through that particular change, and it is always tumultuous. So to that end it just feels like the song picks up a whole different kind of weight in new connotation in the "kids cover" version and it is every bit as amazing and masterful as the original for that reason.
I'm pretty sure Kayla was either 11 or 12 when she sang 46 and 2. They released her singing Pull Me Under by Dream Theater, Florence and the Machine's Cosmic Love, and Chain of Fools on TH-cam before 46 and 2. They were all special, but I think Crazy Horse was my favorite performance by Kayla.
@TheCharismaticVoice - the "glitch" at the very beginning is the last split second of the preceding track on the album, Useful Idiot, which is essentially a lead-in to 46 & 2.
Words can’t describe how much I love and appreciate TOOL. I’ve been lucky enough to have them in my life for the last 25 years and I’ll be attending my 13th concert next month. Thanks so much for this Elizabeth.
Literally just watched it after seeing this was coming up. That little girl on the vocals man... and watching that drummer waiting for that fill at the end, which he subsequently killed. Definitely worth listening to after hearing this just to appreciate what they pulled off.
Hard to name a song with a more epic ending. Thanks for your VERY IN-DEPTH analysis, I've learned sooo much from you ✌🏻 I have a small request, how about doing all of Tool's songs? 😏
Watching you react and work through all aspects of a lot of my favourite songs.. I finding a whole new appreciation to just why music is and has been my life. ❤
I am, again, left in awe by your amazing insight and competence. I absolutely love your videos, learning a lot about music, lyrics and vocals every time. Thank you, thank you and also THANK YOU!
what I love about Tool lyrics is that they're so straightforward and simple, but still have tons of meaning and emotion. You really don't need to think about them, you just feel the lyrics.
Not all the songs tho. Some songs are cryptic and i love those songs aswell cause it is sort of like doing a puzzle and at the end you're so excited to see if your answer is right
This is the first Tool song I ever heard, I was at work and it came on over the radio, I stopped in my tracks, nothing else mattered, I knew I was listening to the best song I had ever heard in 50 years, if an orgasm of the ears is possible, I was there! 🙂
This is the baseline that Justin Chancellor wrote while waiting to audition as Tool's new bassist. Such an iconic song. Also, the worst part of listening to Tool for the first time is that you can't do it a second time.
@@SallySkellington94 My wife actually doesn't like Tool! That was honestly a hard pill to swallow! I couldn't understand how - but I think it is the complexity and the atypical way they make their music - the shifting time signatures, the vocals being in the back - used as an instrument rather than the traditional "front man", the long builds and shifting across multiple songs - I think she is just more into your standard rock-n-roll sound. I was a tough spot in our marriage, but we pulled through. 😢 🤣🤣🤣
This entire album was phenomenal. Quite the endeavor for you, and it makes me happy to see your reaction. In my opinion, the first 3 albums are their best. Keep it up!
What I would give to hear this masterpiece for the first time again. Or this whole album for that matter. My 13 year old head exploded when I was introduced to this upon its release
I began listening to Tool since thier initial drop of Opiate; have never stopped. Such an incredibly talented and thoughtful band producing the soundtrack of my adult life.
I really love watching my younger generations (I’m GenX) connect and appreciate the nuance of the songs that marked the 90’s counter culture. And I LOVE your analysis- it’s a new fresh take and it’s great. Most people used to call this music “just noise” and called it grunge. I always look forward to these!!!
And I don't think it's too presumptuous to comment twice on a 41 minute analysis of a 6 minute song, so... In that pulled back section before the big finish, I've always heard that as a pulling in of all these elements (traits gained, lessons learned, etc) from earlier on. When they all finally lock into place in a whirlwind of chaos, then the transformation finally arrives. Tool's music just never gets old. There's always something more to find.
i feel like you would really find maynard’s vocal performances in the songs Fear Inoculum, Invincible, Descending, and 7empest. he really pushes himself into new heights with that album, and those songs are absolutely exemplary
If youre geeking out over Danny Carey, I suggest "Right in Two". I saw them live twice in one tour once and that was the one song they played in another city that they didnt play the first time, and I was in a good position to just watch Carey go off, and it was amazing.
Great analysis of this masterpiece, you definitely brought my attention to a few things I hadn't considered before, despite listening to this probably 500 times by now. You absolutely need to run us through 'Descending' of Tool as well. Maynard sound phenomenal and I think you'd really appreciate his maturity and growth that is so clear in their latest album, speaking of evolving. Awesome content as always, thanks.
When it comes to composition, the breakdown at 04:05 gives me visions of a caterpillar-like creature trying to break out of its cocoon, pushing when the guitar is in stereo, resting and gathering strength for the next push when the bass is in mono. And at the last rest, when Danny starts Dannying, it’s like taking a deep breath preparing for the final explosion of growth/strength to crack out of the shell. The shell of the old being that it once was. And now when Maynard sings about shadows reaching up and over, I picture the unfamiliar shadow of the new shape of the body (wings on a butterfly) a bit frightening but also intriguing at the same time… I LOVE THIS SONG!!!❤❤❤
Awesome I've been waiting for this. Now go watch the O'Keefe music foundation and their group of kids do their version if you want additional amazement
One of their best. Writing that and then thinking what would be their top 5, I noticed a lot of Kayla Rose. Chain of Fools (when she was 10!), Cosmic Love, Crazy Horse, et al.
Want to throw my recommendation behind this as well. That's one of the few TH-cam videos I have saved as a favorite and keep going back to when I need reassurance that we're going to be ok as a species.
This is the ultimate for me. After decades I have come around to the fact that this is my favorite Tool song. Long before I even had a clue what it was about. It works on any level. After first hearing this song it would be another 10 years before I encountered the name Jung.
Not a musician or singer but i still love hearing from a pro that feels the same parts as i do. That soumd that just ahreds the soul and makes us love music regardless of genre. My favorite reaction page of all i follow so thank you for this.
The time signatures kind of only mean something to Maynard. Tool writes all the music first then Maynard sits with the music and comes up with the lyrics. During the music making process Danny is quoted to say he plays by feel and they'll figure out what the time signature was later to give that information to Maynard when he asks.
I am a 54 year old woman and have just discovered Tool. Yes, late to the game raising kids. 😂 The musician in me loves their sound, changing rhythms, major and minor chords. I call it rhythmic chaos. It really freaks people out when they realize that I know these songs and love them. What wonderful talent all in one band!
I can relate to your story. I love good music from almost any genre. Good music won't be denied. 😊
You are never too old to start a Tool Journey. You also 8 years younger than their drummer lol
They're secretly a an Indian/Balkan group, disguised as an alt-metal group. Danny inspired me to start learning tabla drums, and Tool makes much more sense now. It just added a new level of appreciation.
I wish I could discover Tool for the first time again. They blew my mind.. then I bought Aenima and listened to tracks that weren't popular, and had my mind blown again
Love it❤🌀
at the 22 minute mark you mentioned how Maynard could sing lullabies or Irish ballads etc; I know that Tori Amos is very close friends with him, and she suffers from insomnia. She at one point shared during one of her concerts that she will call him when she is having a hard time sleeping and he will sing her lullabies to go to sleep.
which may be one of the sweetest things I have ever heard about two famous musicians, and I am 100% here for it.
That's on the Muhammad my friend video
I have watched that video so many times. As a 90s alt kid, both Tori and Maynard were huge to me and them being friends just makes me happy
@vandermar1979 agreed, what Maynard and Tori both do as artist puts them both on another level. I grew up in the 80's and love both artists.
Forget famous musicians, more like about two people period!
Def a video on TH-cam of tori and mjk singing together. I thought theyd make a great couple
You can like or not like Tool, but you can't deny that Danny Carey is one of the best drummers that ever lived
I didn’t realise there was that second option!
@@vikinglab79 My buddy absolutely cannot stand Tool, which is weird because he otherwise has impeccable musical taste!
Furthermore, you can like or not like Tool, but if you say Tool isn't good, you're objectively wrong.
Danny Carey is second only to Neil Peart in my personal "best Drumers" list... you can't get much better than these guys
By 34:20 I was hoping, Elizabeth, I was praying, I was anxiously awaiting and wishing..you wouldn't stop the playback in the middle of Danny's peak moment in this song...which you actually let get started at 35:13...But you did..you did stop it..🙆🏻♂️ ..yes, I understand your concentration was placed on counting at that time, but....Well... 🤔 I forgive you anyways 😁
It never gets old watching her get so excited about good music.
Jinx you owe me a coke! Literally almost texted the same thing when sending to a friend 😊
All her emotions are written on her face, and it's addictive to watch.
yup! im actually in awe that she has the words for all that she's hearing, feeling, thinking...
I think Tool is outside of good, it's musically undeniable.
@@ZOROASTEDYou took the words right out of my mouth, Tool is out of good or bad
I love how Maynard's voice vacillates between elegance and violence. He's strikes perfect balance. A vocal chameleon indeed
I love the idea that, if it's not already? Elegance and Violence should be the name of a song. Or an album. Or a metal band. Or all of the above. Elegance and Violence. Too cool.
The best part about loving Maynards voice is to see other people fall in love with Maynards voice
I cant agree more..
absolutely!
This song has been with my since my teen years in the 90s, when I lost both of my parents at the age of 14. The idea of growth and progress through pain, changing ourselves and growing, it spoke to me so deeply. I used to fall asleep listening the Aenima album, and I wrote out the lyrics to this track specifically by hand, and I've carried them with me in wallet ever since, over 20 years with the same piece of paper... written on the back of a print out of my mother's obituary. This song is in my heart and soul forever.
Wow. My hat is off to you, fellow traveler.
Peace and love.
just DAMN!!! i hope you carry that with you for your next 20 years!
& btw..love your "@" JohnGalTHM...ayn rand much?
This hits completely different then any other comment.. i think in time, Tool touched all of us yet in other ways.. Great that you drew strength out of it 🙏🏼❤️
Bro ! Firstly, amazing testimony about overcoming adversity. When i read your comment, i tried to put myself in your position, loosing both of your parents at such a young age. Some people go through unbelievably pain filled moments in their life. And one can choose to let it consume them, destroy them. Or one can make a conscious decision , sometimes daily, sometimes minute by minute, to overcome. Bravo sir, bravo!
10,000 my fellow Tool brother. Gone but never forgotten. Tool in my teens for sure, on tape!?.. 😝
Now you absolutely have to do the O'Keefe music foundation cover of this. It's nothing short of amazing.
Agreed. Those kids do an awesome version of this song!
Yes pls
i agree, now you have to
I was just about to post this
Totally agree!!!
Tool makes me anticipate the journey of a song like no other. Their audience is so diverse and everyone feels like the music is speaking directly to them, really unbelievable
Maynard has spoke many times during interviews about how he and the other band members put together songs. He strongly refers to his vocals as another instrument and in doing so he has to implement his vocals perfectly into the song. He has spoken about how his vocals are often the last part of the song and he intertwines them in and around the other sounds. This is why Maynard's vocal placement is so "perfect" in almost, if not all of their songs.
Literally. Danny, Adam and Justin literally put the music together and then, when finished, give it to Maynard who wraps lyrics around the music. It's incredible that a band can exist for so long and simply get better with every album.
The sound at the beginning is from the previous track on the album. They do it that way to have seamless transitions from one song to the next.
Came here to say the same thing lol. Kudos!
Lmao. I just commented the same thing, I didn't see this until after I posted lol
Excellent comment! The thing that would put it over the top, is the time stamp when she spoke about it!🌿🌸
beat me
I went and took a listen to the track to see, I thought it was normal for it to be there, and yes, it is!
The journey from Undertow to Ænima/Salival to Lateruls to 10,000 Days to Fear Inoculum has been incredible. It's rare to see such clear musical development along with real emotional growth with each record. From inward looking and angry to embracing life and loss and growth, it's really stellar.
What a beautiful description
The genre tag I use for Tool is Uneasy Listening.
Perfectly said
Masterpiece 🎸🥁🎤
I wonder if he'll ever grow to the point where he doesn't feel compelled to eject people from the show for using their phones.
Yes! The title track is beautiful. The whole album I’ve been listening to since I was 15 and I’m 40 now. Tool for life!
😂 you are 40 6 and tool! ♥
Tool for life!
Since 1993. I´m 43 now. Funny story. I started play guitar 1993 and can play every tool song ever made. And i play at least 1 song every day myself :D
crank my Hifi and my Amp and play along to it. Feels like i´m a part of the band :D
Still my favorite tool album. 👍
everytime i stretch a highway long ori board a plane to cross an ocean i have Tool in my headphones and it is glorious.
I'm listening to Tool for the first time; I'm 72 years old. The beginning and rhythm of this song reminds me very much of early Pink Floyd's "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun". To me, it's like they used it as a jumping off point and took it to previously unimagined heights.
Funny you say that. I’ve always thought Tool would do an amazing cover of Set the Controls for Heart of the Sun. That song and Pink Floyd in general must have had a huge influence on Tool.
No one gives the mix and master engineers enough credit. They’re just as part of the magic as the musicians are.
Absolutely..every instrument comes in loud and clear..just what you need when you crank up the volume 👍👍
It's a shame I don't know their names, because I often find some albums sound old and flat. Meanwhile other albums feel spacious and absolutely incredible. It can be hard to point at something an engineer contributes, but it can make all the difference in the world. An often thankless job, for sure.
absolutely, Tool albums from the 90s sound better than probably 90% of newer recordings. IIRC Sylvia Massey was the producer and engineer for this album.
@@markhamleeI think David Botrill was the producer. Sylvia did Undertow
As a musician myself, This is so true. Most people don't realize the skill involved in production.
Us: "The Perfect Tool reaction doesn't exist"!
Elizabeth: "Hold my Beer".
Hold my tea :D
Hold my Vocals folds:D
Hold my shadow vowel
Maynard isn't just a singer; he's an actor. He's in character when he's performing. That's why he can hit those emotions. They are a part of the performance as much as the singing and musical performance is.
Yes, he is very much a performance artist as he is a vocal artist. Just look at his famous live performance of Sober...he planned everything to match the message of the song. Or the way he plays around with expression in Puscifer, like wearing fake breasts to a concert where cross dressing in public was banned for obscenity in that state.
@@meganwoehl5277yeah he was cross-dressing way back in the 90’s when I saw them as well
I hope Maynard watches and is subscribed to her channel. He might even learn more about himself watching this super enthusiastic, respectful, observation genius analys his music and so many other music creators and creations. My sincere respect to you in so many ways. The teachers I remember are the ones who made the most out of the least. That is the definition of growth. One molecule at a time. Thank you, Thank you Maynard, all in Tool, everyone who finished reading this paragraph. I needed this. Love everything and help it love itself.
WOW, I've been a Tool fan ever since the first album and always loved the way he sings the word "Shadow-a" and never heard of a shadow vowel before. Thanks for educating me on that, you're awesome!
Thank you again for analyzing one of my favorite songs from Tool. I'm a lifelong fan. I first saw them on this tour in 1996 and I've seen every tour since. I'll be seeing them again in Jan. When you go to a Tool concert, you're not just going to a concert, but are going to an experience of sight and sound. And your giddy joy is totally infectious. You make me happy by seeing the true joy you get from Tool and many other bands I've loved forever.
Danny's drum fill in this song is maybe the best drum fill ever. It's monsterous and syncopated and hits me every time. The lyrics I believe refer to jungian shadow work which is some of the most powerful therapy for mental health. Absolutely changed my life.
🤣🤣🤣
I would agree with you, but there are like 8 other songs with unbelievable drum fills that anytime I hear them I think "No, this is my favorite Danny Carey drum fill"
@@wumbojet haha yes definitely a personal preference thing. He's one of the best drummers overall for sure though
Ticks and leaches
Danny's body of work is so nuts that I wouldn't be able to pick a favorite. This is up there, but there's so much stuff that I can't even remember all of it. Danny's work on... basically the ENTIRE new album is like... what the fuck man.
I appreciate your appreciation of Maynard. ;) BTW, from the intarwebs: "The song is mostly in 4/4 time with some sections of 7/8 in between. In the intro, Danny Carey plays four measures of 7/8 on his ride cymbal over the rest of the band playing in 4/4, and they all meet up on the downbeat of the 5th measure in 4/4. During the bridge there are three measures of 7/8 followed by one measure of 4/4. During a particular quad fill, the drums are in 3/8, the guitar plays one measure of 9/8 followed by one in 5/8 all while the bass keeps time in 7/8. Most of the song is written in D Phrygian dominant scale, also known as the fifth mode of the G harmonic minor scale."
This is such an awesome breakdown of the song. I was about to say that this sounds like Phrygian mode and you confirmed it for me. This is also in line with what Elizabeth said felt like an "exotic feel" to this song around 8:18 and 33:41.
Thanks for passing that on. I gave up trying to count the time signature in about 1999. It makes so much sense that no one is playing in the same time signature.
I was just about to comment that is sounds more like 7/8 than 7/4 to me, very similar to Balkan (and specifically Bulgarian) folklore music, and you confirmed it for me. Tool's ability to harmonise the various time signatures always amazes me. Cheers!
Some more A Perfect Circle would be awesome too👍! Can’t recall if you’ve already reacted to “Orestes” and/or “3 Libras” already. Both tracks from their first album, Mer de Noms (my favorite album of theirs ❤️!!)
Yes Please, +1 to this suggestion. 🤞
+1 for 3 Libras
You beat me to it with this comment lol. I can't find where she did anything from A Perfect Circle. I also recommended 3 Libras, I like Judith better but may be too controversial for this channel.
I'd love to hear her do Judith. The long held note in it is crazy.
Totally came to the comments of add my voice to the request for anything Perfect Circle. I actually loved them before I got into Tool and I'm still shocked she hasn't done a song of theirs yet!
There is a song called Rose on the first APC album that I was reminded of when you were talking about the way in which Maynard chooses to sing specific words and his phrasing. The line in Rose that goes “When push comes to pull comes to shove comes to step around..” struck me back 20+ years ago when I first heard it because the way he sang push, pull, and shove literally FELT like the definition of the words. He sang the word push and it sounded like how a push feels, pull sounded like something being pulled, shove felt like a shove. I feel those words still every time I hear the song. It’s not a single or popularly talked about song from APC but it’s worth listening to on your own time and looking for that line toward the end of it. Such a treat. Such a great example of his pronunciation and phrasing. I dont know if it was intentional or if that is just how the words naturally passed through him but it’s beautiful.
Great comparison, great song, great record.
I freakin love Rose, not too many people react to it on YT, & not too many people talk about it, but Rose & Passive are two of my absolute favorite APC tunes (among many others)
@@davidhart6291 Rose is arguably my favorite song off that album. The whole album is perfect, it blew me away when it came out. I want to say I was a freshman in highschool? I’m sure I’ve listened to it thousands of times at this point in my life 🖤
Yes! This is why you are one of my favorite reactors/analysts on YT. Right at the beginning you get what is happening and go completely opposite of most everyone else. Always people want Maynard’s voice to be way louder, but the fact is it’s supposed to be exactly where it is! Nothing in Tools music is left to chance; every detail has a meaning! And YOU picked right up on that. Excellent!
Elizabeth, you are such a musical nerd, I love it. Your reactions are always so much more in-depth and technical but at the same time so much fun. I learn something new from you on songs I’ve been listening to for years and in some cases decades.
There is a reason this band is studied so much in music schools and foundations like Okeefe Music Foundation (OMF). If you can learn Tool and actually succeed in playing their music, you can learn to play anything, OMF has produced cover videos of a number of Tool songs, mostly with different kids each time, and are a prime example of using Tool music as a tool to grow new musicians.
I would love for her to check out their rendition of this song..
That's just not true. I'm a huge die hard Tool fan and I can play them fairly well, but there's so many technical blues and metal guitarists that I'll never be able to match in their solo shredding. What Tool offers is a deeper appreciation to music theory and abnormal rhythms as opposed to just ripping the pentatonic scale in a high tempo 4/4. Even with their excess in weird shit, Tool's true brilliance comes in its use of minimalism. Few technical guitar solos can approach the emotionality of Adam Jones tremolo picking a single note with a wah pedal engaged.
She needs to do OMF's cover of this song. So well done.
@@bwaredapenguin yeah I was kinda thinking the same. I saw a video recently where Joe Satriani was attempting to play some of Edward Van Halen's rhythm guitar parts, and it just sounded kinda weird. Not bad, just weird and a blindfolded listener that knew a few VH songs (even if they weren't the same ones!) well would know immediately that it wasn't him. Nothing to do with guitar tone or technical chops. I think Satch's groove/swing was just wildly different. I guess it highlights the importance of *active listening* when learning to play other people's material
@@bwaredapenguinwell said
46 & 2 is one of my all time favorite songs. TOOL has been integral to the theme music of my entire adult life. There is not even one critical juncture in my adult life (since 1990) where TOOL wasn't present ... All of my children experienced TOOL in Utero, my wife and I slow danced to OPIATE for our Halloween Wedding solo dance, OCT 31 1992 (to both of our parent's horror) ... 3 kids raised on and still listening avidly to MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN ... So yeah ... TOOL is a pretty important influence in our household ...
😅😅😅
Opiate? Exquisite taste. 👍
@@juanvaldes420a bold choice, for sure. Either you really trust your guests, or don't care how many people you completely offended 😂
I have never heard of shadow vowels before. And despite listening to this song for 20 years or more, I have never noticed it (shadow-a). Thank you so much for pointing this and so many other nuances out in your amazing Tool analyses.
Love your Tool analysis videos! "Right In Two" deserves your attention for sure!
Yesssssssssss
i hope she goes on to do the O'Keefe Foundation - Kids Cover 46 & 2 by Tool.
Truth. its a amazing cover..
I love Tool, but I can't deny there have been times when "46 and 2" comes on my Tool station and a smile comes to my face. Then I quickly realize, oh yeah, "just Tool".
I love to see her getting excited about those songs! Seeing someone geeking out about something you love is one of the best things under the Sun.
Thank you for the wonderful analysis, as always!
In regards to the "glitch" sound at the beginning of the song, that's actually part of the very end of the preceding track Useful Idiot! It's one of their short tracks that act as sort of an interlude. Tool sometimes have transitions from one song to another that make sense only when listened to in full album form (Parabol into Parabola is another example of this)
Your enthusiasm is infectious and it is such a joy to hear someone dissect the things I love in my favorite songs that I would have never have thought or had the words for.
The idea that Maynard’s voice contains intensity is so spot on and BRILLIANT - like someone telling you a joke knowing the punch line’s going to hit but not snickering / breaking on the way there.
The absolute beauty of Tool music is it is absolutely as deep as youre willing to go.
I've been watching you since you started this channel. When ever you do a Tool segment your at your NERDY NERDY personality and it is just so perfect. This song helped me in my early recovery from addiction along with other songs from Tool. They are actually beautiful to see in concert. Keep rocking on Elizabeth. Oh one other thing you mentioned Danny's drum work. He was a huge fan of the professor Mr Peart
That funky sound in the very start is actually the tail end of the previous track on the album that leads into this song! Love your videos so much 💕 keep being you!
I got to tell you. I have heard this song so many times and by so many different bands and every time I knew nothing of the shadow vowel! 😊🎉 Now you have totally almost reset my love for this song and that is Uber rare. I won't listen to it the same again and it'll mean so much more! Thank you Charismatic Voice!!
Have you done a Judith from a perfect circle? Maynard’s note in the middle of the song is unreal.
This video was awesome, I’ve been singing for about a decade now and have ran most of Tools discography countless times with a band and even though this wasn’t actually a lesson there were things you pointed out that helped me improve my delivery of these lyrics literally on the spot. So thank you for this!! 🙏🙏
Tool is about the rhythm and riffs, Pucifer is about the mood....but, A Perfect Circle is really where Maynard's vocals shine.
He calls Tool his masculine side lyrically and vocally. APC his feminine side lyrically and vocally. I think he said Pucifier was more of the madness/fun side breaking out lyrically and vocally.
I 100% agree! APC is so underrated. My absolute favorite is the cover of Fiddle And The Drum. I know it's a cover but THAT HARMONY 🤯
I love how much joy she gets from these songs... so pure and wholesome!
Now, if we could get her to listen to Mastodon, something like Oblivion... three singers, great music, deep lyrics... all around good stuff!
I loved Mastodon. Until I saw them live. They were good, they played tight. But they just seemed to have zero interest in being there and I was never able to really look at the same after. (FWIW, it was a show in Phoenix in which they were just one band there among dozens, their set was late afternoon, and it was a day that hit 116 F... but they didn't introduce themselves or the songs... they just got up, played one song after the other, zero audience address, finished, and left. Between that the complicated nature of their music, they totally lost the crowd's interest got totally outshone by almost every other band there that weekend, every single one of which at least said hi and thank you to the audience.)
Mastodon would be a great study for a next video!
🎉🎉🎉
The bass line is awesome.
And it's played with absolute perfection. Justin Chancellor is such a solid bassist.
TOOL the energy is just so crazy intense OMG. would I be the same guy after going to one their concerts. I forgot how much I loved these guys.
I feel you I haven't had the honor I wish I'd have taken the time to see them in the 90s. Sober was a great breakdown
Easy to get excited about Tool, especially songs from this album...but I just have to say, after seeing a handful of your videos, that it's really enjoyable to see you compliment these different artists so eloquently.
Timing is always a huge piece of their music. Polyrhythms (four against 3, etc.) are a creative tool TOOL uses consistently to convey the messages of their music.
Yay, more Tool! I often wonder how those that are hearing these tracks for the first time during these reactions respond. Some of us have 30+ years listening to Tool. I am so envious of those hearing it for the first time.
One of my favorite things about being a parent has been sharing the music I love with my daughter, and having her fall in love with it as well. We've rocked out to Tool on the way to school and back so many times.
Give the O'Keefe kids a looking into on this song. I'm sure the foundation could use your support
I have to say, when I started listening to Tool around 17 yo, it was a purely visceral, sonic love. I was no student of music.
Now I’m 40 and my love of Tool has grown along with their sound, and seeing pro reactions like yours have taught me more about the deliberateness of Maynard’s pitch and syllable placement etc. (not to mention becoming more awed by the talent of Danny and co.) making the love and respect grow even more. So thank you for that! ❤
I am so happy you did this song in conjunction with the lyrics because it enhanches the experience so, so much and you clearly got much out of it.
Such an incredible song that drives you forward, that is encouraging and empowering.
This is such a great track! For those looking to study Danny Carey more, here is an actively synced drum transcription of Forty Six & 2: th-cam.com/video/NRRgYZJRICw/w-d-xo.html
The "interesting instrumental breakdown" section before the final chorus, specifically before the drums come in at 35:10 or so in your video, is ( 7/8 x 7, 9/8 ) repeating (so seven bars of 7/8 followed by one bar of 9/8, with this pattern repeating).
If you follow the guitar's 8th note rhythm, counting is easy using the following 8th note groupings ( 1 2, 1 2, 1 2 3 ) x 7, ( 1 2, 1 2, 1 2 3, 1 2 ). At least, that's how I'd count it as a drummer. ;-) Check out the aforementioned actively synced drum transcriptions for all the time signatures used in the song!
Anyway, I very much enjoyed this song analysis; your energy was contagious. Thanks for the excellent videos!
Well, you certainly did add something to the analysis - I don’t think I’ll ever hear this song again without being amused by that tidbit about the shadow vowel every time he sings ‘shadow’.
You’re totally fine stepping into Anything - honestly, I find your genuine delight in exploring new music just…idk, nothing but a joy to watch. This being the main element I see you carry into every new song makes you welcome everywhere and with everything you do. 👍🏼❤️
This review of this song is rich and fresh and authentic! Again, I've listened to this song 1000 times and you've still highlighted new insights and understanding. It's a testament to the high level of song writing and to your own musical wisdom 😊 ps: the shadow vowel is hilarious, and no doubt intentional!
The Tool Army is passionate, but friendly. No need to feel intimidated by us!
Now you know The Tool Army is not always friendly. Particularly to people who don't get it. The intimidation is warranted because I've seen creators swear off reacting to Tool BECAUSE the Army is so passionate.
Sources?
@@kingrix I know of a couple cases where the tool army has had a very negative response to people not getting it. I think they're a minority, but a shame none the less. For me, I completely understand why Tool can be very hard for first time listeners. It's pretty unpredictable, and that can be frustrating. You almost have to take a leap of faith with each track, and that's not something people should take for granted. However, Tool does seem to have a very positive fan-base in general. Like, the more the merrier.
@@zuzusuperfly8363 you'll get no argument from me there. I never said the Tool Army was unwelcoming or toxic, just that *some* fans can take a person not appreciating Tool personally and become needlessly hostile or dismissive. That's true of any passionate fandom, and the Tool Army is nothing if not passionate.
@@kingrix But she gets it. And the Tool shows that I've been to have had the friendliest crowds that I've seen.
As far as Tool goes, I really think you should be listening to more of their underrepresented music, like Third Eye. Third Eye will absolutely blow you away.
I love how Maynard uses the shadow vowel and other bits of intensity to smooth over breath changes. His diaphragm control and how well he uses different throat muscles and voicing sections to keep from overexerting his larynx are incredible! I finally got to see them in concert recently and wow what an AMAZING experience! Of course Danny Carey stole the show 😄
Last time I saw them I thought the same thing, it should be called "The Danny Carey Show, feat. the rest of TOOL"
Omg you are a goddess. I am a singer and have been singing for 40+ years. But girl, you know your stuff. Love you so much Elizabeth ❤️
It's honestly such a difficult thing to choose a favourite Tool song. I love this song because of the way it makes me feel, but much more, it's the drive, lyrics and amazingly deep yet thought challenging meaning. Truly a very special song, piece of art.
Great analysis and breakdown. You have a wonderful capacity to hear, feel, see and share. Including the finer points of music and vocals. Muvh respect to you and to Tool ❤
Also, since you were talking about the "shedding of skin", Pantera's "Shedding Skin" would be an AMAZING song for you to "do your thing" on. The music is absolutely phenomenal and Phil's vocals of some bad ass lyrics that go to the dark, sinister, superbly written music would show you once again why Pantera (like Tool) has such a fierce and loyal fan base. Hint: it has to do with conjoined twins but with a darker, more personal perspective. I think it will give you a newfound appreciation for Pantera.
Shame Phil’s a massive racist though
Tool in 1997 was one of the best shows I've ever seen, and this song was epic!! I love this!
It enters your ears and hits every single emotion possible. Adam's guitar work always tends to get overlooked by the other 3 member's pure brilliance, but it really shines here. What a brilliant journey Tool continues to lead us all on.
I've been listening to this song for almost 30 years, played it on guitar and bass, and still heard new stuff in this listen. I think this is my favorite of your vids I've seen (so far)! Amazingly done!
Time signatures at some points are 7-7-7-9. In that part where the loudest voice switches between guitar and bass for a bit then goes into the drum solo (33:22 in your vid), I think the guitar and bass are playing in different time signatures from each other, but I've never quite figured it out.
Also, the sound of the word "through" (at 33:20 in your video) is my favorite moment of tone from Maynard. I don't know what he's doing there, but that note is so perfect!
Truly wonderful take on this piece Elizabeth. Now, when it comes to change and regression. I believe you can not consciously force the change you want in life. Now, you may create change you want in life. But is it truly the change you need? More so the natural change and evolution we often speak of comes from integrating the shadow in us and that deeper change to a new state of being comes natural or in very uncomfortable ways. To wrap it all together, I believe Tool have helped many in popping ego balloons throughout the years. And I am glad you gave this one so much time.
This album is amazing, beginning to end. Most albums -- even by bands I love -- have a song or two that I skip over. Not Aenema. Every song is a progressive masterpiece, which brings the listener along on a wild ride -- both lyrically & musically. I think the thing that separates Aenema from later albums is the seething fury dripping from many of the songs. An emotional rollercoaster for sure.
The irony it you have to skip over all the filler tracks 😂
Please do Lost Keys/Rosetta Stoned from the 10,000 Days album! They're two separate songs, but Lost Keys is the intro to Rosetta Stoned. It's an epic experience, I promise
“Tell me everything…”
@@matthijsclaessen8152"Alrighty then. Picture this, if you will".....
Just don’t forget your pen
As I'm sure many have said before me, PLEASE react and analyze the O'Keefe Music Foundation version of the kids doing this song. They have a 14 yr old girl (Kala Rose) doing the vocals who is alone in the booth while recording and its AWESOME. The kids are all 18 and younger (most all of them are 16 and younger), but they KILL it!! Then, once you are enamored with Kala, jump forward 4 years and listen to her sing "Crazy Horse" by Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, to hear her vocal progression after 4 yrs of going to O'Keefe MF. It is utterly amazing and you are the perfect person to give us your reaction/analysis. Which is what we come here for.. 😁 I promise you will not be disappointed and will be amazed! 🙏 PRETTY PLEASE W/SUGAR ON TOP!?!?!
I thought Kala was only 12 during this recording, but I could be wrong. I know she was 11 when she did Pull Me Under from Dream Theater.
Love that cover, I use it as my ringtone
Link to kids 46 & 2 video - th-cam.com/video/mYKLvYGqaC0/w-d-xo.html
Kala also does a great Sober - th-cam.com/video/ctt87B6hU1M/w-d-xo.html
Kala's last song with OMF (she's 18+ now) Crazy Horse - th-cam.com/video/oYEXeW94z5A/w-d-xo.html
I believe the original lyrics are about self-discovery in the Jungian psychological theory (which held there are 46 emotions which are combined with the base two - happiness and sadness - to form the spectrum of human emotional experience) but can also refer to human evolution (we have 46 chromosomes - 22 paired plus the XX/XY complement - but as we progress and evolve, what if we were to gain an extra? But also, all extant species of Hominoidea - the progeny of other branches of the evolutionary tree from common ancestors - happen to all have 23 pairs +XX/XY or as one might say, 46+2 and as we evolve through the domesticating forces of the society we've built, it seems in a lot of ways to be reverting us to something more primitive). It's a fascinating song to explore and analyze. That's one of Tool's greatest strengths... they are apart from excellent musicians, also world class poets/lyricists. But those themes of exploration, change, metamorphosis, anxiety over it all... that all takes on a whole new dimension when sung by a little girl on the verge of adolescence. And I don't mean that in any creepy way... we all go through that particular change, and it is always tumultuous. So to that end it just feels like the song picks up a whole different kind of weight in new connotation in the "kids cover" version and it is every bit as amazing and masterful as the original for that reason.
I'm pretty sure Kayla was either 11 or 12 when she sang 46 and 2. They released her singing Pull Me Under by Dream Theater, Florence and the Machine's Cosmic Love, and Chain of Fools on TH-cam before 46 and 2. They were all special, but I think Crazy Horse was my favorite performance by Kayla.
@TheCharismaticVoice - the "glitch" at the very beginning is the last split second of the preceding track on the album, Useful Idiot, which is essentially a lead-in to 46 & 2.
Words can’t describe how much I love and appreciate TOOL. I’ve been lucky enough to have them in my life for the last 25 years and I’ll be attending my 13th concert next month. Thanks so much for this Elizabeth.
Check out the version done by kids at O'keefe Music Foundation. It's legit.
Definitely! Those kids did an incredible job.
Literally just watched it after seeing this was coming up. That little girl on the vocals man... and watching that drummer waiting for that fill at the end, which he subsequently killed. Definitely worth listening to after hearing this just to appreciate what they pulled off.
@@always420blitzed Her name is Kala Rose, and she has her own band now (it's been over a decade since that was done!) called Saving Escape.
@@jonakers704 I believe it, there's no way that voice isn't in a band lol
And many more great covers. Macie Addis has some really amazing vocals too like "The Devil in I"
One of my favorite basslines, both to listen to and to play.
Hard to name a song with a more epic ending. Thanks for your VERY IN-DEPTH analysis, I've learned sooo much from you ✌🏻
I have a small request, how about doing all of Tool's songs? 😏
Watching you react and work through all aspects of a lot of my favourite songs.. I finding a whole new appreciation to just why music is and has been my life. ❤
I am, again, left in awe by your amazing insight and competence. I absolutely love your videos, learning a lot about music, lyrics and vocals every time. Thank you, thank you and also THANK YOU!
what I love about Tool lyrics is that they're so straightforward and simple, but still have tons of meaning and emotion. You really don't need to think about them, you just feel the lyrics.
😅😅😅
Always thought the same!!
Not all the songs tho. Some songs are cryptic and i love those songs aswell cause it is sort of like doing a puzzle and at the end you're so excited to see if your answer is right
Says someone in the comment section of a reaction to one of Tools most cryptic and misunderstood songs, lyric wise, even by the tool army themselves.
This is the first Tool song I ever heard, I was at work and it came on over the radio, I stopped in my tracks, nothing else mattered, I knew I was listening to the best song I had ever heard in 50 years, if an orgasm of the ears is possible, I was there! 🙂
I'm just blown away that you heard it on the radio!
@@tattoodude8946 I know! Never before and never since but thanks to them they did 😊
Same. It blows me away that this was my 1st musical experience from the four musical geniuses that changed my taste in music.
For me it was Aenima. I heard it on the radio very late into the night when I was about 16 and it was unlike anything I'd ever heard.
This is the baseline that Justin Chancellor wrote while waiting to audition as Tool's new bassist. Such an iconic song.
Also, the worst part of listening to Tool for the first time is that you can't do it a second time.
Listening to someone else hear them for first time is closest!
@@SallySkellington94 true tho at least 99% love tool that I’ve watched out of a lot. Lol
Tool is one of those bands where the first time is the least exciting times to listen to it.
Bass line
@@SallySkellington94 My wife actually doesn't like Tool! That was honestly a hard pill to swallow! I couldn't understand how - but I think it is the complexity and the atypical way they make their music - the shifting time signatures, the vocals being in the back - used as an instrument rather than the traditional "front man", the long builds and shifting across multiple songs - I think she is just more into your standard rock-n-roll sound. I was a tough spot in our marriage, but we pulled through. 😢
🤣🤣🤣
i have been a TOOL fan for 20+ years and now i will hear SHADOW-AH. This video has been wonderful.
This entire album was phenomenal. Quite the endeavor for you, and it makes me happy to see your reaction. In my opinion, the first 3 albums are their best. Keep it up!
The cadence in his voice is the best I've ever heard
What I would give to hear this masterpiece for the first time again. Or this whole album for that matter. My 13 year old head exploded when I was introduced to this upon its release
I began listening to Tool since thier initial drop of Opiate; have never stopped. Such an incredibly talented and thoughtful band producing the soundtrack of my adult life.
I really love watching my younger generations (I’m GenX) connect and appreciate the nuance of the songs that marked the 90’s counter culture. And I LOVE your analysis- it’s a new fresh take and it’s great. Most people used to call this music “just noise” and called it grunge. I always look forward to these!!!
And I don't think it's too presumptuous to comment twice on a 41 minute analysis of a 6 minute song, so... In that pulled back section before the big finish, I've always heard that as a pulling in of all these elements (traits gained, lessons learned, etc) from earlier on. When they all finally lock into place in a whirlwind of chaos, then the transformation finally arrives. Tool's music just never gets old. There's always something more to find.
When I have been at my darkest points of my life. TOOL has been my rope back to the surface.
Maynard's voice is like a lullaby to me! Love! Thanks for this!
Thanks!
I've been listening tool for over 10 years and everyday I find something new in a song and fall deeper in love with them
One of my favorite tool songs ☯
i feel like you would really find maynard’s vocal performances in the songs Fear Inoculum, Invincible, Descending, and 7empest. he really pushes himself into new heights with that album, and those songs are absolutely exemplary
Descending by Lamb Of God is also a masterpiece of a different type. That song speaks to me on a level i can't even explain. I just love it.
Descending by Lamb Of God is also a masterpiece of a different type. That song speaks to me on a level i can't even explain. I just love it.
If youre geeking out over Danny Carey, I suggest "Right in Two". I saw them live twice in one tour once and that was the one song they played in another city that they didnt play the first time, and I was in a good position to just watch Carey go off, and it was amazing.
Great analysis of this masterpiece, you definitely brought my attention to a few things I hadn't considered before, despite listening to this probably 500 times by now. You absolutely need to run us through 'Descending' of Tool as well. Maynard sound phenomenal and I think you'd really appreciate his maturity and growth that is so clear in their latest album, speaking of evolving. Awesome content as always, thanks.
When it comes to composition, the breakdown at 04:05 gives me visions of a caterpillar-like creature trying to break out of its cocoon, pushing when the guitar is in stereo, resting and gathering strength for the next push when the bass is in mono. And at the last rest, when Danny starts Dannying, it’s like taking a deep breath preparing for the final explosion of growth/strength to crack out of the shell. The shell of the old being that it once was.
And now when Maynard sings about shadows reaching up and over, I picture the unfamiliar shadow of the new shape of the body (wings on a butterfly) a bit frightening but also intriguing at the same time…
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!❤❤❤
Tool is a great band. A perfect circle is also worth listening to 👍
Wait.... What? She hasn't reacted to A Perfect Circle yet?🤔🤷
Awesome I've been waiting for this. Now go watch the O'Keefe music foundation and their group of kids do their version if you want additional amazement
YES!! Those kids performance is mind blowing!
I recommend it as well, I get chills everytime I listen to it
One of their best. Writing that and then thinking what would be their top 5, I noticed a lot of Kayla Rose. Chain of Fools (when she was 10!), Cosmic Love, Crazy Horse, et al.
Want to throw my recommendation behind this as well. That's one of the few TH-cam videos I have saved as a favorite and keep going back to when I need reassurance that we're going to be ok as a species.
This is the ultimate for me. After decades I have come around to the fact that this is my favorite Tool song. Long before I even had a clue what it was about. It works on any level. After first hearing this song it would be another 10 years before I encountered the name Jung.
I could have written this word for word lol
Not a musician or singer but i still love hearing from a pro that feels the same parts as i do. That soumd that just ahreds the soul and makes us love music regardless of genre. My favorite reaction page of all i follow so thank you for this.
I love how excited you get about tool! You can tell how much you feel the music!
Please do 3 Libras by A Perfect Circle. A very different side to Maynard’s voice that I think is even more impressive
The time signatures kind of only mean something to Maynard. Tool writes all the music first then Maynard sits with the music and comes up with the lyrics. During the music making process Danny is quoted to say he plays by feel and they'll figure out what the time signature was later to give that information to Maynard when he asks.